diff --git a/docs/reference/plugin-manifest.md b/docs/reference/plugin-manifest.md
index ae05b65cbe9..d7f27feb087 100644
--- a/docs/reference/plugin-manifest.md
+++ b/docs/reference/plugin-manifest.md
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ One screenshot of the plugin in use.
 ## Versions and compatibility
 
 - **What runs is strict.** Orca refuses a manifest with any key it does not know, at every level, so an older Orca never silently ignores something a plugin relies on.
-- **`engines.orca` is the only version gate.** It must be at least the newest `Since` of every field and every value (capability, event, built-in action) the manifest uses. Orca checks this when it validates, lists or installs a plugin, so an older Orca can always say "requires Orca >=X (this is Y)" instead of listing unknown fields.
+- **`engines.orca` is the only version gate.** It must be at least the newest `Since` of every field and every value (capability, event, built-in action) the manifest uses. `pnpm validate:plugin` and catalog CI enforce it, so an older Orca can always say "requires Orca >=X (this is Y)" instead of listing unknown fields.
 - **`pluginApi` is optional.** It names the major version of the host API ([reference](plugin-host-api.md)), which only grows within major 1; Orca refuses a major it does not implement. Only `sandboxed-ui` and `trusted-worker` plugins call that API, so `data` and `declarative` plugins must leave it out.
 - **`terminal:send` needs `trusted-worker`.** Panels get no host method that types into a terminal, so Orca refuses the capability on any other profile instead of asking the user to grant something the plugin can never use.
 - **New fields, contribution points and values are additive.** They arrive with a `Since` version; nothing else changes. `manifestVersion` rises only if an existing field changes meaning.
diff --git a/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-install-staging.ts b/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-install-staging.ts
index fc1fcddf2fa..a359377b035 100644
--- a/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-install-staging.ts
+++ b/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-install-staging.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { cp, mkdir, rm } from 'node:fs/promises'
 import { join, relative, resolve, sep } from 'node:path'
 import {
   PLUGIN_MANIFEST_FILENAME,
-  parsePluginManifest,
+  parseHostPluginManifest,
   qualifiedPluginKey,
   satisfiesOrcaEngineRange,
   type PluginManifest
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ async function readInstallManifest(
       error: `unreadable ${PLUGIN_MANIFEST_FILENAME}: ${error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error)}`
     }
   }
-  const parsed = parsePluginManifest(raw)
+  const parsed = parseHostPluginManifest(raw)
   if (!parsed.ok) {
     const incompatible = pluginManifestCompatibilityError(raw, hostVersion)
     return { ok: false, error: incompatible ?? `invalid manifest: ${parsed.error}` }
diff --git a/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-rollback-candidate.ts b/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-rollback-candidate.ts
index 87815d55d17..7c522500473 100644
--- a/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-rollback-candidate.ts
+++ b/src/main/plugins/installation/plugin-rollback-candidate.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { readdir } from 'node:fs/promises'
 import { join } from 'node:path'
-import { parsePluginManifest } from '../../../shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest'
+import { parseHostPluginManifest } from '../../../shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest'
 import { readPluginCurrentPointer } from './plugin-current-pointer'
 import { readPluginManifestText } from '../plugin-manifest-file'
 import { PLUGIN_CONTENT_HASH_PATTERN } from '../../../shared/plugins/installation/plugin-install-lockfile'
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export async function readPluginRollbackVersion(pluginDir: string): Promise<stri
     return null
   }
   try {
-    const parsed = parsePluginManifest(
+    const parsed = parseHostPluginManifest(
       JSON.parse(await readPluginManifestText(join(pluginDir, candidate.contentHash)))
     )
     return parsed.ok ? parsed.manifest.version : null
diff --git a/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.test.ts b/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.test.ts
index 039f17387d8..ab13b381940 100644
--- a/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.test.ts
@@ -161,6 +161,60 @@ describe('installed plugin discovery identity', () => {
     )
   })
 
+  // Regression: Excalidraw 1.0.0 as installed from the catalog before the format 2 floor moved.
+  it('loads an installed manifest whose engines floor predates its fields, but not a dev copy', async () => {
+    const pluginsDir = await tempPluginsDir()
+    const devDir = await tempPluginsDir()
+    const hash = 'c'.repeat(64)
+    const versionDir = join(pluginsDir, 'stablyai.orca-excalidraw', hash)
+    const manifest = JSON.stringify({
+      manifestVersion: 2,
+      id: 'orca-excalidraw',
+      publisher: 'stablyai',
+      name: 'Excalidraw',
+      version: '1.0.0',
+      execution: 'sandboxed-ui',
+      engines: { orca: '>=1.4.244' },
+      contributes: {
+        customEditors: [
+          {
+            id: 'excalidraw',
+            title: 'Excalidraw',
+            extensions: ['.excalidraw', '.excalidraw.json'],
+            entry: 'editor/index.html',
+            priority: 'default'
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      capabilities: []
+    })
+    for (const dir of [versionDir, devDir]) {
+      await mkdir(join(dir, 'editor'), { recursive: true })
+      await writeFile(join(dir, 'orca-plugin.json'), manifest)
+      await writeFile(join(dir, 'editor', 'index.html'), '<p>editor</p>')
+    }
+    await writeFile(join(pluginsDir, 'stablyai.orca-excalidraw', 'current'), hash)
+
+    const [installed] = await discoverPlugins({
+      pluginsDir,
+      devPluginPaths: [],
+      hostVersion: '1.4.245'
+    })
+    expect(installed && 'error' in installed ? installed.error : null).toBeNull()
+    expect(installed?.pluginKey).toBe('stablyai.orca-excalidraw')
+
+    const [dev] = await discoverPlugins({
+      pluginsDir: await tempPluginsDir(),
+      devPluginPaths: [devDir],
+      hostVersion: '1.4.245'
+    })
+    expect(dev && 'error' in dev ? dev.error : '').toContain('engines.orca: must be at least')
+
+    // An older host still names the version gap rather than a schema error.
+    const [old] = await discoverPlugins({ pluginsDir, devPluginPaths: [], hostVersion: '1.4.200' })
+    expect(old && 'error' in old ? old.error : '').toBe('requires Orca >=1.4.244 (this is 1.4.200)')
+  })
+
   it('keeps a removable qualified identity when the current pointer is missing', async () => {
     const pluginsDir = await tempPluginsDir()
     const installedKey = 'samples.broken'
diff --git a/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.ts b/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.ts
index 1dd89da31c5..01e55c973dd 100644
--- a/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.ts
+++ b/src/main/plugins/plugin-discovery.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { PLUGIN_CONTENT_HASH_PATTERN } from '../../shared/plugins/installation/p
 import {
   PLUGIN_MANIFEST_FILENAME,
   isQualifiedPluginKey,
+  parseHostPluginManifest,
   parsePluginManifest,
   qualifiedPluginKey,
   satisfiesOrcaEngineRange,
@@ -92,7 +93,8 @@ async function readManifestDir(
       isDev
     }
   }
-  const parsed = parsePluginManifest(raw)
+  // Why strict for dev trees: they are the author's working copy, so authoring errors belong there.
+  const parsed = isDev ? parsePluginManifest(raw) : parseHostPluginManifest(raw)
   if (!parsed.ok) {
     const incompatible = pluginManifestCompatibilityError(raw, hostVersion)
     return { rootDir, error: incompatible ?? `invalid manifest: ${parsed.error}`, isDev }
diff --git a/src/main/plugins/plugin-list-projection.ts b/src/main/plugins/plugin-list-projection.ts
index 0a367d9d3c2..94abe29ac51 100644
--- a/src/main/plugins/plugin-list-projection.ts
+++ b/src/main/plugins/plugin-list-projection.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,40 @@ import { pluginExecutionProfile } from '../../shared/plugins/contributions/plugi
 
 const PLUGIN_LIST_PROJECTION_CONCURRENCY = 4
 
+type PluginLockEntry = PluginLockfile['plugins'][string]
+
+function lockEntrySource(
+  lockEntry: PluginLockEntry | undefined
+): Pick<PluginHostListEntry, 'source'> {
+  if (!lockEntry) {
+    return {}
+  }
+  return {
+    source: {
+      kind: lockEntry.source.kind,
+      reference:
+        lockEntry.source.kind === 'local-path'
+          ? lockEntry.source.path
+          : lockEntry.source.kind === 'git'
+            ? lockEntry.source.url
+            : lockEntry.source.kind === 'marketplace'
+              ? pluginSourceLabel(lockEntry.source.plugin)
+              : `bundled:${lockEntry.source.bundleId}`,
+      resolvedCommit: lockEntry.resolvedCommit,
+      contentHash: lockEntry.contentHash,
+      ...(lockEntry.source.kind === 'marketplace'
+        ? {
+            marketplace: {
+              reference: lockEntry.source.marketplace.url,
+              ref: lockEntry.source.marketplace.ref,
+              resolvedCommit: lockEntry.source.marketplace.resolvedCommit
+            }
+          }
+        : {})
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 const withImages = (images: PluginHostImages | undefined) => (images ? { images } : {})
 
 export async function buildPluginList(
@@ -41,11 +75,14 @@ export async function buildPluginList(
       if (isInvalidDiscoveredPlugin(plugin)) {
         // Invalid dev paths may expose private absolute paths; use opaque identities for clients.
         const fallbackKey = plugin.pluginKey ?? `invalid-development-plugin-${index + 1}`
+        // Why the lock entry: it says which catalog installed it, so the list can offer an update.
+        const lockEntry =
+          !plugin.isDev && plugin.pluginKey ? lock.plugins[plugin.pluginKey] : undefined
         return {
           pluginKey: fallbackKey,
           consentFingerprint: null,
           name: fallbackKey,
-          version: '0.0.0',
+          version: lockEntry?.version ?? '0.0.0',
           publisher: '',
           status: 'invalid' as const,
           needsReconsent: false,
@@ -60,7 +97,8 @@ export async function buildPluginList(
           commands: [],
           hasWorker: false,
           vmRecipes: [],
-          restarts: 0
+          restarts: 0,
+          ...lockEntrySource(lockEntry)
         }
       }
       const activation = service.activationState(plugin)
@@ -170,32 +208,7 @@ export async function buildPluginList(
               }
             }
           : {}),
-        ...(lockEntry
-          ? {
-              source: {
-                kind: lockEntry.source.kind,
-                reference:
-                  lockEntry.source.kind === 'local-path'
-                    ? lockEntry.source.path
-                    : lockEntry.source.kind === 'git'
-                      ? lockEntry.source.url
-                      : lockEntry.source.kind === 'marketplace'
-                        ? pluginSourceLabel(lockEntry.source.plugin)
-                        : `bundled:${lockEntry.source.bundleId}`,
-                resolvedCommit: lockEntry.resolvedCommit,
-                contentHash: lockEntry.contentHash,
-                ...(lockEntry.source.kind === 'marketplace'
-                  ? {
-                      marketplace: {
-                        reference: lockEntry.source.marketplace.url,
-                        ref: lockEntry.source.marketplace.ref,
-                        resolvedCommit: lockEntry.source.marketplace.resolvedCommit
-                      }
-                    }
-                  : {})
-              }
-            }
-          : {})
+        ...lockEntrySource(lockEntry)
       }
     }
   )
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/PluginManagerRows.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/PluginManagerRows.tsx
index f48c4b09507..e74f5bcc371 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/PluginManagerRows.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/PluginManagerRows.tsx
@@ -61,7 +61,8 @@ export function installedPluginControls(
     plugin,
     entry.updateVersion,
     busy,
-    entry.autoUpdate
+    entry.autoUpdate,
+    entry.reinstallVersion ?? null
   )
   const needsReview = pluginNeedsReview(plugin)
 
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ export function installedPluginControls(
     )
   } else if (kind === 'invalid' && plugin.error) {
     tone = 'destructive'
-    description = invalidPluginErrorMessage(plugin.error)
+    description = invalidPluginErrorMessage(plugin.error, !plugin.isDev)
   } else if (kind === 'error' && plugin.execution === 'data') {
     // Why: content-only plugins have no code or logs; only their files can fail.
     tone = 'destructive'
@@ -147,6 +148,13 @@ export function installedPluginControls(
             })}
       </Button>
     )
+  } else if (primary === 'reinstall') {
+    action = (
+      <Button variant="outline" size="xs" onClick={() => handlers.onCheckUpdate(entry)}>
+        <RotateCcw />
+        {translate('auto.components.settings.PluginManagerRows.reinstall', 'Reinstall')}
+      </Button>
+    )
   } else if (primary === 'error') {
     action = (
       <Button variant="outline" size="xs" onClick={() => handlers.onOpen(plugin.pluginKey)}>
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.test.ts
index 8aa3273874c..625be37750d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.test.ts
@@ -211,6 +211,35 @@ describe('plugin list entries', () => {
     expect(build('2.1.0')?.updateVersion).toBe('2.0.0')
   })
 
+  it('offers a reinstall for an installed copy that cannot load only when the catalog has other bytes', () => {
+    const plugin: PluginHostListEntry = {
+      ...fromCatalog(installed('acme.notes', 'Notes'), 'https://official.invalid/c.git'),
+      status: 'invalid'
+    }
+    const sources = [catalog('official', 'https://official.invalid/c.git')]
+    const release = (contentHash: string, minimumOrca = '1.0.0') =>
+      listing('acme.notes', {
+        version: '1.0.0',
+        release: {
+          version: '1.0.0',
+          commit: 'd'.repeat(40),
+          contentHash,
+          execution: 'data',
+          minimumOrca,
+          types: []
+        }
+      })
+    const build = (offered: PluginMarketplaceHostListing, target = plugin) =>
+      buildPluginListEntries([target], [offered], { sources, orcaVersion: '1.5.0' }).installed[0]
+    expect(build(release('e'.repeat(64)))?.reinstallVersion).toBe('1.0.0')
+    // Same bytes would fail the same way; a release this Orca can't run is no fix either.
+    expect(build(release('b'.repeat(64)))?.reinstallVersion).toBeNull()
+    expect(build(release('e'.repeat(64), '2.0.0'))?.reinstallVersion).toBeNull()
+    expect(
+      build(release('e'.repeat(64)), { ...plugin, status: 'running' })?.reinstallVersion
+    ).toBeNull()
+  })
+
   it('lists installed plugins once, joined to their listing, and the rest as available', () => {
     const result = buildPluginListEntries(
       [installed('stablyai.orca-midnight-theme', 'Orca Midnight')],
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.ts
index 457105f57ae..9fd0e79a65e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/list/plugin-list-entries.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ export type PluginListEntry = {
   minimumOrca: string | null
   /** A newer catalog version than the installed one that this Orca can run, if any. */
   updateVersion: string | null
+  /** Catalog release to reinstall over an installed copy that can't load: same version, other bytes. */
+  reinstallVersion?: string | null
   /** Every catalog that lists this plugin, for filtering by catalog. */
   catalogIds: readonly string[]
   /** The listing comes from the catalog this plugin was installed from, so it can update it. */
@@ -116,6 +118,22 @@ function newerCatalogVersion(
   return compareAppVersions(version, plugin.version) > 0 ? version : null
 }
 
+function reinstallCatalogVersion(
+  plugin: PluginHostListEntry,
+  listing: PluginMarketplaceHostListing | null,
+  orcaVersion: string | null
+): string | null {
+  const release = listing?.release
+  if (plugin.status !== 'invalid' || plugin.source?.kind !== 'marketplace' || !release) {
+    return null
+  }
+  // Why bytes, not version: reinstalling the same bytes would fail the same way.
+  return needsNewerOrca(release.minimumOrca, orcaVersion) ||
+    release.contentHash === plugin.source.contentHash
+    ? null
+    : release.version
+}
+
 export function pluginListEntryFromInstalled(
   plugin: PluginHostListEntry,
   listing: PluginMarketplaceHostListing | null = null,
@@ -141,6 +159,7 @@ export function pluginListEntryFromInstalled(
     types: listing?.release ? pluginCatalogReleaseTypes(listing.release) : (plugin.types ?? []),
     minimumOrca: listing?.release?.minimumOrca ?? null,
     updateVersion,
+    reinstallVersion: updateVersion ? null : reinstallCatalogVersion(plugin, listing, orcaVersion),
     catalogIds,
     updatable: plugin.source?.kind === 'marketplace' && listing !== null,
     autoUpdate: entryAutoUpdate(plugin, updateVersion, autoUpdates),
@@ -263,6 +282,7 @@ export function buildPluginListEntries(
         : {
             ...entry,
             updateVersion: null,
+            reinstallVersion: null,
             updatable: false,
             autoUpdate: { ...entry.autoUpdate, needsReview: false }
           }
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-error-presentation.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-error-presentation.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0642631eb8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-error-presentation.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+import { invalidPluginErrorMessage } from './plugin-error-presentation'
+
+describe('invalid plugin error copy', () => {
+  const schemaError = 'invalid manifest: engines.orca: must be at least >=1.4.245'
+
+  it('asks the author to fix a dev folder, but never the user of an installed copy', () => {
+    expect(invalidPluginErrorMessage(schemaError)).toBe(
+      'orca-plugin.json is invalid. Fix it, then refresh plugins.'
+    )
+    expect(invalidPluginErrorMessage(schemaError, true)).toBe(
+      "This version can't load in this Orca. Update or reinstall it."
+    )
+    expect(invalidPluginErrorMessage('invalid JSON in orca-plugin.json: x', true)).toBe(
+      "This version can't load in this Orca. Update or reinstall it."
+    )
+    expect(invalidPluginErrorMessage('requires Orca >=9.0.0 (this is 1.4.0)', true)).toBe(
+      'This plugin requires a different Orca version.'
+    )
+  })
+})
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-error-presentation.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-error-presentation.ts
index 99338e3e877..bebf95c9751 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-error-presentation.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-error-presentation.ts
@@ -48,8 +48,16 @@ export function pluginInstallErrorMessage(cause: unknown): string {
   )
 }
 
-export function invalidPluginErrorMessage(detailValue: string): string {
+/** `installed`: a copy Orca installed, so its user can't edit the manifest; dev folders can. */
+export function invalidPluginErrorMessage(detailValue: string, installed = false): string {
   const detail = detailValue.toLowerCase()
+  // Why everything but a version gap: the user of an installed copy can't fix its files.
+  if (installed && !detail.includes('requires orca')) {
+    return translate(
+      'auto.components.settings.pluginError.installedManifestUnloadable',
+      "This version can't load in this Orca. Update or reinstall it."
+    )
+  }
   if (detail.includes('missing orca-plugin.json')) {
     return translate(
       'auto.components.settings.pluginError.invalidManifestMissing',
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.test.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.test.ts
index 70687074d9e..572f932949b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.test.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.test.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,14 @@ describe('plugin status presentation', () => {
     ).toMatchObject({ primary: 'restart', statusText: 'Stopped' })
   })
 
+  it('offers Reinstall for a plugin that cannot load, and View error without one', () => {
+    const broken = host('a', { status: 'invalid' })
+    expect(installedPluginPresentation(broken, null, false, idle, '1.0.0').primary).toBe(
+      'reinstall'
+    )
+    expect(installedPluginPresentation(broken, null, false, idle).primary).toBe('error')
+  })
+
   it('counts a crashed plugin as switched on, and a pending one as needing review', () => {
     expect(isPluginEnabled({ status: 'errored' })).toBe(true)
     expect(isPluginEnabled({ status: 'disabled' })).toBe(false)
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.ts b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.ts
index 19fa8a51cb3..8945fe0f546 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/plugins/presentation/plugin-status-presentation.ts
@@ -98,7 +98,8 @@ export function installedPluginPresentation(
   plugin: PluginHostListEntry,
   updateVersion: string | null,
   busy: boolean,
-  autoUpdate: { updatedTo: string | null; needsReview: boolean }
+  autoUpdate: { updatedTo: string | null; needsReview: boolean },
+  reinstallVersion: string | null = null
 ) {
   const kind = pluginStatusKind(plugin)
   const removable = !plugin.bundled && !plugin.isDev
@@ -109,6 +110,7 @@ export function installedPluginPresentation(
     [pluginNeedsReview(plugin), 'review'],
     [kind === 'error', 'restart'],
     [Boolean(updateVersion), 'update'],
+    [kind === 'invalid' && Boolean(reinstallVersion), 'reinstall'],
     [kind === 'invalid', 'error']
   ] as const
   const primary = primaryRules.find(([applies]) => applies)?.[1] ?? null
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/de.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/de.json
index ba9df812ca6..36f1f33414f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/de.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/de.json
@@ -11903,6 +11903,7 @@
           "installGit": "Orca konnte die fixierte Git-Revision nicht abrufen. URL, #ref, Zugriffsrechte und die Git-Konfiguration des Systems prüfen.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "Im Stammordner des Plugins fehlt orca-plugin.json. Die Datei hinzufügen und anschließend die Plugins aktualisieren.",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json ist ungültig. Die Datei korrigieren und anschließend die Plugins aktualisieren.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "Diese Version kann in dieser Orca-Version nicht geladen werden. Aktualisieren oder neu installieren.",
           "invalidArtifact": "Eine deklarierte Datei für einen Hintergrundprozess oder ein Panel fehlt oder ist unsicher. Die Plugin-Dateien korrigieren und anschließend aktualisieren.",
           "consentChanged": "Das Plugin wurde während der Prüfung geändert. Diesen Dialog schließen und die aktualisierten Berechtigungen prüfen."
         },
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
index 2f82e57d91f..a6b4a918f5f 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/en.json
@@ -11966,6 +11966,7 @@
           "installGit": "Couldn't fetch this Git revision. Check the URL, #ref, and access.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "The plugin root is missing orca-plugin.json. Add it, then refresh plugins.",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json is invalid. Fix it, then refresh plugins.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "This version can't load in this Orca. Update or reinstall it.",
           "invalidArtifact": "A worker or panel file is missing or unsafe. Fix it, then refresh.",
           "consentChanged": "This plugin changed while you were reviewing it. Review it again."
         },
@@ -13000,6 +13001,7 @@
           "customEditor": "Editor"
         },
         "PluginManagerRows": {
+          "reinstall": "Reinstall",
           "crashedCount": "Crashed {{value0}} times in a row",
           "crashed": "Crashed while starting",
           "remove": "Remove…",
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
index 64f20a1c446..47269eb9dc9 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/es.json
@@ -11718,6 +11718,7 @@
           "installGit": "No se pudo obtener esta revisión de Git. Revisa la URL, el #ref y el acceso.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "A la raíz del plugin le falta orca-plugin.json. Añádelo y actualiza los plugins.",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json no es válido. Corrígelo y actualiza los plugins.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "Esta versión no se puede cargar en este Orca. Actualízala o reinstálala.",
           "invalidArtifact": "Falta un archivo de proceso o de panel, o no es seguro. Corrígelo y actualiza.",
           "consentChanged": "Este plugin cambió mientras lo revisabas. Revísalo de nuevo."
         },
@@ -12715,6 +12716,7 @@
           "noAccessReach": "Nada fuera de sus propios archivos"
         },
         "PluginManagerRows": {
+          "reinstall": "Reinstalar",
           "crashedCount": "Falló {{value0}} veces seguidas",
           "crashed": "Falló al iniciar",
           "remove": "Quitar…",
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
index 675cd3d6d8b..ce3ffe43bf9 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/fr.json
@@ -11895,6 +11895,7 @@
           "installGit": "Impossible de récupérer cette révision Git. Vérifiez l'URL, le #ref et l'accès.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "orca-plugin.json manque à la racine du plugin. Ajoutez-le, puis actualisez les plugins.",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json est non valide. Corrigez-le, puis actualisez les plugins.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "Cette version ne peut pas se charger dans cet Orca. Mettez-la à jour ou réinstallez-la.",
           "invalidArtifact": "Un fichier de worker ou de panneau est manquant ou dangereux. Corrigez-le, puis actualisez.",
           "consentChanged": "Ce plugin a changé pendant votre examen. Examinez-le à nouveau."
         },
@@ -12901,6 +12902,7 @@
           "noAccessReach": "Rien en dehors de ses propres fichiers"
         },
         "PluginManagerRows": {
+          "reinstall": "Réinstaller",
           "crashedCount": "Plantage {{value0}} fois de suite",
           "crashed": "Plantage au démarrage",
           "remove": "Supprimer…",
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
index e4a87b070a6..e728d2f3a8a 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ja.json
@@ -11444,6 +11444,7 @@
           "installGit": "この Git リビジョンを取得できませんでした。URL、#ref、アクセス権を確認してください。",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "プラグインルートにorca-plugin.jsonがありません。追加してからプラグインを更新してください。",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.jsonが無効です。修正してからプラグインを更新してください。",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "このバージョンはこの Orca では読み込めません。更新するか再インストールしてください。",
           "invalidArtifact": "ワーカーまたはパネルのファイルが見つからないか安全ではありません。修正してから更新してください。",
           "consentChanged": "確認中にこのプラグインが変更されました。もう一度確認してください。"
         },
@@ -12438,6 +12439,7 @@
           "noAccessReach": "自身のファイル以外にはアクセスしません"
         },
         "PluginManagerRows": {
+          "reinstall": "再インストール",
           "crashedCount": "{{value0}} 回連続でクラッシュしました",
           "crashed": "起動中にクラッシュしました",
           "remove": "削除…",
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
index 4250335393c..d012ea0c3da 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ko.json
@@ -11444,6 +11444,7 @@
           "installGit": "이 Git 리비전을 가져올 수 없습니다. URL, #ref, 접근 권한을 확인하세요.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "플러그인 루트에 orca-plugin.json이 없습니다. 추가한 후 플러그인을 새로고침하세요.",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json이 유효하지 않습니다. 수정한 후 플러그인을 새로고침하세요.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "이 버전은 이 Orca에서 불러올 수 없습니다. 업데이트하거나 다시 설치하세요.",
           "invalidArtifact": "워커 또는 패널 파일이 없거나 안전하지 않습니다. 수정한 후 새로 고치세요.",
           "consentChanged": "검토하는 동안 이 플러그인이 변경되었습니다. 다시 검토하세요."
         },
@@ -12438,6 +12439,7 @@
           "noAccessReach": "자체 파일 외에는 접근하지 않음"
         },
         "PluginManagerRows": {
+          "reinstall": "다시 설치",
           "crashedCount": "{{value0}}번 연속 충돌함",
           "crashed": "시작 중 충돌함",
           "remove": "제거…",
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/pt.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/pt.json
index 1aae2829345..a6b0b1a9b80 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/pt.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/pt.json
@@ -7787,6 +7787,7 @@
           "installGit": "O Orca não conseguiu obter a revisão Git fixada. Verifique a URL, o #ref, o acesso e a configuração do Git do sistema.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "A raiz do plugin está sem o orca-plugin.json. Adicione-o e depois atualize os plugins.",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json é inválido. Corrija-o e depois atualize os plugins.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "Esta versão não pode ser carregada neste Orca. Atualize-a ou reinstale-a.",
           "invalidArtifact": "Um arquivo de worker ou painel declarado está ausente ou é inseguro. Corrija os arquivos do plugin e depois atualize.",
           "consentChanged": "O plugin mudou enquanto você o revisava. Feche esta caixa de diálogo e revise as permissões atualizadas."
         },
@@ -8947,6 +8948,7 @@
           "updatesKeepApproval": "Atualizações só perguntam de novo por novo acesso"
         },
         "PluginManagerRows": {
+          "reinstall": "Reinstalar",
           "crashed": "Falhou ao iniciar",
           "crashedCount": "Falhou {{value0}} vezes seguidas",
           "crashedOnce": "Falhou uma vez",
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ru.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ru.json
index db2b9192d42..79ba7dd53f7 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ru.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/ru.json
@@ -12197,6 +12197,7 @@
           "installGit": "Orca не удалось загрузить закреплённую ревизию Git. Проверьте URL, #ref, доступ и системную настройку Git.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "В корне плагина нет orca-plugin.json. Добавьте его и обновите плагины.",
           "invalidManifest": "Некорректный orca-plugin.json. Исправьте его и обновите плагины.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "Эта версия не загружается в этой версии Orca. Обновите или переустановите её.",
           "invalidArtifact": "Заявленный файл фонового процесса или панели отсутствует либо небезопасен. Исправьте файлы плагина и обновите список.",
           "consentChanged": "Плагин изменился во время проверки. Закройте диалог и проверьте обновлённые разрешения."
         },
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/tr.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/tr.json
index 5042fa5f71a..4a39018151b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/tr.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/tr.json
@@ -11889,6 +11889,7 @@
           "installGit": "Orca, sabitlenmiş Git revizyonunu getiremedi. URL'yi, #ref'i, erişimi ve sistem Git kurulumunu kontrol edin.",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "Eklenti kökünde orca-plugin.json eksik. Ekleyip eklentileri yenileyin.",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json geçersiz. Düzeltip eklentileri yenileyin.",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "Bu sürüm bu Orca'da yüklenemiyor. Güncelleyin veya yeniden yükleyin.",
           "invalidArtifact": "Bildirilen bir worker veya panel dosyası eksik ya da güvenli değil. Eklenti dosyalarını düzeltip yenileyin.",
           "consentChanged": "Eklenti, siz incelerken değişti. Bu iletişim kutusunu kapatıp güncellenmiş izinleri inceleyin."
         },
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh-Hant.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh-Hant.json
index 1d9bed3bb44..4b8169ce8d0 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh-Hant.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh-Hant.json
@@ -11757,6 +11757,7 @@
           "installGit": "Orca 無法取得固定的 Git 版本。請檢查 URL、#ref、存取權限和系統 Git 設定。",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "外掛根目錄缺少 orca-plugin.json。請新增它，然後重新整理外掛。",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json 無效。請修復它，然後重新整理外掛。",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "此版本無法在這個 Orca 中載入。請更新或重新安裝。",
           "invalidArtifact": "宣告的工作行程或面板檔案缺失或不安全。請修復外掛檔案，然後重新整理。",
           "consentChanged": "您在審查時外掛發生了變更。請關閉此對話方塊並審查更新後的權限。"
         },
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
index 12fe7390e81..d42f77ff427 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
+++ b/src/renderer/src/i18n/locales/zh.json
@@ -11444,6 +11444,7 @@
           "installGit": "无法获取此 Git 版本。请检查 URL、#ref 和访问权限。",
           "invalidManifestMissing": "插件根目录缺少 orca-plugin.json。请添加它，然后刷新插件。",
           "invalidManifest": "orca-plugin.json 无效。请修复它，然后刷新插件。",
+          "installedManifestUnloadable": "此版本无法在当前 Orca 中加载。请更新或重新安装。",
           "invalidArtifact": "工作进程或面板文件缺失或不安全。修复后请刷新。",
           "consentChanged": "你审查期间此插件发生了变化。请重新审查。"
         },
@@ -12471,6 +12472,7 @@
           "noAccessReach": "仅限其自身文件"
         },
         "PluginManagerRows": {
+          "reinstall": "重新安装",
           "crashedCount": "连续崩溃 {{value0}} 次",
           "crashed": "启动时崩溃",
           "remove": "移除…",
diff --git a/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest-v2-rules.test.ts b/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest-v2-rules.test.ts
index 982bbfde385..69d91fea768 100644
--- a/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest-v2-rules.test.ts
+++ b/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest-v2-rules.test.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { z } from 'zod'
 import { pluginEngineFloor } from './plugin-engine-floor'
 import { PLUGIN_ENUM_SINCE_KEY } from './plugin-engine-floor-keys'
 import { PLUGIN_SCHEMA_NEWEST_SINCE, pluginHostVersion } from '../installation/plugin-host-version'
-import { parsePluginManifest } from './plugin-manifest'
+import { parseHostPluginManifest, parsePluginManifest } from './plugin-manifest'
 import { PLUGIN_MANIFEST_V2_SINCE } from './plugin-schema-field-docs'
 import { PLUGIN_RESERVED_CONTRIBUTION_POINTS } from '../contributions/plugin-contribution-points'
 
@@ -93,6 +93,17 @@ describe('manifest format 2 rules', () => {
     })
   })
 
+  it('skips only the engines floor when reading a manifest at runtime', () => {
+    const underDeclared = v2({ engines: { orca: '>=1.4.160' } })
+    expect(parseHostPluginManifest(underDeclared)).toMatchObject({ ok: true })
+    expect(parsePluginManifest(underDeclared)).toMatchObject({ ok: false })
+    // Every other rule still applies.
+    expect(parseHostPluginManifest(v2({ engines: { orca: '>=1.4.160' }, pluginApi: 1 }))).toEqual({
+      ok: false,
+      error: 'pluginApi: data plugins never call the host API; remove pluginApi'
+    })
+  })
+
   it('counts enum values and only fields that are present', () => {
     const schema = z.object({
       kind: z.enum(['old', 'new']).meta({
diff --git a/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest.ts b/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest.ts
index dc15ad41281..3015a19a915 100644
--- a/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest.ts
+++ b/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-manifest.ts
@@ -184,18 +184,28 @@ export const pluginManifestV2Object = z
   })
   .strict()
 
-export const pluginManifestSchema = z.preprocess(
-  upgradePluginManifestV1Names,
-  z.discriminatedUnion('manifestVersion', [
-    pluginManifestV1Object.superRefine(validatePluginManifestContributions),
-    pluginManifestV2Object.superRefine((manifest, ctx) => {
-      validatePluginManifestContributions(manifest, ctx)
-      validatePluginExecutionProfile(manifest, ctx)
-      validatePluginManifestV2Rules(manifest, ctx)
-      validatePluginEngineFloor(pluginManifestV2Object, manifest, ctx)
-    })
-  ])
-)
+function buildPluginManifestSchema(enforceEngineFloor: boolean) {
+  return z.preprocess(
+    upgradePluginManifestV1Names,
+    z.discriminatedUnion('manifestVersion', [
+      pluginManifestV1Object.superRefine(validatePluginManifestContributions),
+      pluginManifestV2Object.superRefine((manifest, ctx) => {
+        validatePluginManifestContributions(manifest, ctx)
+        validatePluginExecutionProfile(manifest, ctx)
+        validatePluginManifestV2Rules(manifest, ctx)
+        if (enforceEngineFloor) {
+          validatePluginEngineFloor(pluginManifestV2Object, manifest, ctx)
+        }
+      })
+    ])
+  )
+}
+
+/** Authoring schema: also refuses an engines.orca below the newest field it uses. */
+export const pluginManifestSchema = buildPluginManifestSchema(true)
+// Why no floor at runtime: the floor only lets older hosts say "requires Orca X"; a host that
+// parses every field and meets engines.orca runs the plugin fine, so refusing it strands installs.
+const hostPluginManifestSchema = buildPluginManifestSchema(false)
 
 export type PluginManifest = z.infer<typeof pluginManifestSchema>
 export {
@@ -230,14 +240,25 @@ export type PluginManifestParseResult =
   | { ok: true; manifest: PluginManifest }
   | { ok: false; error: string }
 
-export function parsePluginManifest(raw: unknown): PluginManifestParseResult {
-  const parsed = pluginManifestSchema.safeParse(raw)
+function parseWith(schema: typeof pluginManifestSchema, raw: unknown): PluginManifestParseResult {
+  const parsed = schema.safeParse(raw)
   if (parsed.success) {
     return { ok: true, manifest: parsed.data }
   }
   return { ok: false, error: formatPluginSchemaIssues(parsed.error.issues, raw) }
 }
 
+/** Strict authoring check (`validate:plugin`, catalog CI, dev folders). */
+export function parsePluginManifest(raw: unknown): PluginManifestParseResult {
+  return parseWith(pluginManifestSchema, raw)
+}
+
+/** Runtime read for install, discovery and update. Callers must still check engines.orca
+ *  against the host, which is what actually gates loading. */
+export function parseHostPluginManifest(raw: unknown): PluginManifestParseResult {
+  return parseWith(hostPluginManifestSchema, raw)
+}
+
 export {
   isPluginPanelTabKey,
   isQualifiedPluginKey,
diff --git a/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-schema-policy-notes.ts b/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-schema-policy-notes.ts
index 91402ed730c..10763da6c87 100644
--- a/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-schema-policy-notes.ts
+++ b/src/shared/plugins/manifest/plugin-schema-policy-notes.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ export const PLUGIN_MANIFEST_POLICY_NOTES: readonly string[] = [
   '## Versions and compatibility',
   '',
   '- **What runs is strict.** Orca refuses a manifest with any key it does not know, at every level, so an older Orca never silently ignores something a plugin relies on.',
-  '- **`engines.orca` is the only version gate.** It must be at least the newest `Since` of every field and every value (capability, event, built-in action) the manifest uses. Orca checks this when it validates, lists or installs a plugin, so an older Orca can always say "requires Orca >=X (this is Y)" instead of listing unknown fields.',
+  '- **`engines.orca` is the only version gate.** It must be at least the newest `Since` of every field and every value (capability, event, built-in action) the manifest uses. `pnpm validate:plugin` and catalog CI enforce it, so an older Orca can always say "requires Orca >=X (this is Y)" instead of listing unknown fields.',
   '- **`pluginApi` is optional.** It names the major version of the host API ([reference](plugin-host-api.md)), which only grows within major 1; Orca refuses a major it does not implement. Only `sandboxed-ui` and `trusted-worker` plugins call that API, so `data` and `declarative` plugins must leave it out.',
   '- **`terminal:send` needs `trusted-worker`.** Panels get no host method that types into a terminal, so Orca refuses the capability on any other profile instead of asking the user to grant something the plugin can never use.',
   '- **New fields, contribution points and values are additive.** They arrive with a `Since` version; nothing else changes. `manifestVersion` rises only if an existing field changes meaning.',